In the cool drizzle of a Tuesday morning in Richmond, Chris Zhu stares at the rows of unsold electric vehicles lining his dealership lot. He gestures broadly at the gleaming EVs, their window stickers displaying prices that start above $45,000.
“Look at all this inventory just sitting here,” says Zhu, who has managed Pacific Auto Group for eight years. “Last spring, we couldn’t keep these models in stock. Now I’ve got customers canceling orders, waiting to see what happens with the rules.”
What’s changed isn’t the vehicles themselves, but the political landscape surrounding them. British Columbia’s electric vehicle mandate—which requires automakers to ensure a growing percentage of new vehicle sales are zero-emission—faces an uncertain future following the federal government’s decision to pause similar national regulations.
For years, BC has positioned itself as Canada’s electric vehicle leader. The province boasts the highest EV adoption rate in North America, with zero-emission vehicles representing 22.3% of new light-duty vehicle sales in 2023, according to the provincial Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation. The province’s CleanBC Roadmap aims for 100% zero-emission vehicle sales by 2035.
But the path forward has become complicated. In February, federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault announced Ottawa would pause the implementation of new electric vehicle regulations that would have required 20% of new vehicles sold to be zero-emission by 2026, rising to 60% by 2030. This pause came after intense pressure from industry groups and provinces concerned about consumer choice and economic impacts.
“The federal pivot creates a challenging situation for provinces like BC that have been leading on climate policy,” explains Dr. Jonn Axsen, professor at Simon Fraser University’s School of Resource and Environmental Management. “When the national framework shifts, it introduces regulatory uncertainty that can slow investment and market transformation.”
Standing outside the BC Legislature on a blustery afternoon, Energy Minister Josie Osborne carefully words her response when asked if BC might follow Ottawa’s lead. “We remain committed to our CleanBC goals, but we’re always evaluating implementation timelines based on market conditions and what we hear from British Columbians.”
That measured statement represents a significant shift from the province’s previously unwavering stance on its ZEV mandate. Industry observers suggest the government may be preparing to announce adjustments to its timeline.
For Melissa Zhang, who recently purchased a home in Surrey, the policy uncertainty has put her vehicle plans on hold. “We’ve been saving for an electric car because we know it’s better for the environment and would save us money on gas,” she explains while charging her sister’s EV at a public station. “But now we’re wondering if we should wait and see if prices come down or if more incentives might be announced.”
The economic implications reach beyond individual consumers. BC’s automotive sector employs over 36,000 people directly, according to the New Car Dealers Association of BC. Blair Qualey, the association’s president, notes that dealers need predictable regulations to make inventory decisions.
“Our members support the transition to zero-emission vehicles, but they’re caught in a difficult position with conflicting signals between provincial and federal policies,” Qualey says. “Some dealers are now overstocked with electric models that aren’t moving as quickly as projected.”
Not everyone sees the potential policy adjustment as negative. On Vancouver Island, where charging infrastructure has expanded significantly in recent years, environmental groups argue that any slowdown would be a mistake.
“BC has created a successful EV ecosystem that’s reducing emissions while creating green jobs,” says Merran Smith, executive director of Clean Energy Canada. “Backing away from our targets now would undermine the confidence businesses have placed in our clean economy direction.”
At the BC Hydro offices in downtown Vancouver, planning continues for expanded charging networks regardless of policy adjustments. The utility has installed over 325 fast-charging stations across the province, with plans for hundreds more.
“The infrastructure investments are continuing because we know the direction of travel hasn’t changed, even if the speed might adjust,” explains Keith Anderson, BC Hydro’s VP of Customer Service. “Electric vehicles are still the future; we’re just recalibrating how quickly we’ll get there.”
For Indigenous communities across BC, the EV transition presents both opportunities and challenges. In the Nuu-chah-nulth territory on western Vancouver Island, climate action coordinator Sarah Mason has been working to bring EV charging infrastructure to remote communities.
“Our nations are experiencing climate impacts firsthand, from changing salmon runs to more intense storms,” Mason tells me while showing a newly installed charging station in Tofino. “We support strong climate policies, but they need to work for rural and Indigenous communities too. That means ensuring affordable options and appropriate technology for remote areas.”
Back in Richmond, dealer Chris Zhu believes any policy adjustment would be temporary. “The direction is clear – we’re moving toward electric. But maybe we need a more realistic timeline that allows consumers to adjust and the market to mature naturally.”
As BC officials deliberate their next steps, the experience of other jurisdictions offers insight. Quebec, which also has a ZEV mandate, is reportedly considering adjustments to align with federal changes. Meanwhile, California—which inspired BC’s approach—recently reaffirmed its commitment to phase out gasoline-powered vehicles despite industry pressure.
For now, British Columbians like Zhang remain in a holding pattern, watching for signals about the province’s commitment to its electric vehicle targets. The coming weeks could determine whether BC maintains its climate leadership position or joins Ottawa in tapping the brakes on electric vehicle requirements.
What seems certain, regardless of policy adjustments, is that the conversation has shifted from whether the electric transition will happen to how quickly it should proceed—a subtle but significant change in a province that has staked its economic future on clean energy innovation.
